Published Dec 23, 2023 | 4:27 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 23, 2023 | 4:27 PM
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. (X)
A day after he declared at a public event that he had already asked for the order banning hijab in schools to be withdrawn, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday, 23 December, scaled back on his stance.
In his home district of Mysuru, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday clarified that the administration was only contemplating lifting the ban on wearing hijab in educational institutions in the state. He added that a decision will be taken after holding discussions at the government level.
Addressing reporters in Mysuru, he said, “We haven’t done it (revoking Hijab ban) yet. Someone asked me a question (about lifting the Hijab ban). I replied that the government is considering revoking it.
Asked whether it will be done in this academic year, the chief minister said it will be done after discussing at the government level.
The clarification comes a day after he said that there was no restriction on wearing the religious head scarf in educational institutions and observed that choice of dress and food is personal.
The Congress government has come under sharp criticism from the opposition BJP over the announcement on the hijab ban rollback.
Siddaramaiah backtracking on his statement came under severe criticism by AIMIM National President and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi who sought to know what was there to ‘contemplate’.
It has been over 6 months since you came to power. What is there to “contemplate” in whether Muslim girls should have a right to education or not? Thanks to @siddaramaiah for clarifying that the hijab ban still continues to be enforced by “secular” Congress govt. The Muslims who… https://t.co/RdtXk9SR4v
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) December 23, 2023
Siddaramaiah made his announcement, on rolling back a government order restricting religious attire while speaking at the inauguration ceremony of three police stations in Nanjangud in the Mysuru district on Friday. He said that no one should indulge in vote-bank politics.
Lashing out at the BJP, the chief minister said, “They say ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas‘ (Cooperation of all, Development of all), but are sidelining those who wear skullcaps, don the burqa, and sport beards. Is this what they mean?”
When an individual from the crowd asked about the restrictions on wearing hijab, Siddaramaiah said, “No (restrictions). You can wear a hijab. I have instructed (the officials) that there will be no restriction from tomorrow (23 December).”
He added: “You can wear and eat whatever you want. It’s up to you. Your choices are yours and my choices are mine. It’s that simple.”
Siddaramaiah continued as the crowd cheered: “I wear dhoti and kurta, and you wear pants and shirt. It’s your choice. What’s wrong with this?”
The BJP meanwhile stated that the government’s move raised concerns about the “secular nature” of educational spaces.
(With PTI inputs)
